Author: Atreyo Mukhopadhyay

Atreyo Mukhopadhyay Technique is not sacrosanct. The output is. One can be unorthodox and not adhere to the rules set by tradition or convention. What matters at the end of the day is performance, and contribution to the team’s cause. It doesn’t matter if one doesn’t fit into the prototype or deviates from the dictionary definition of that role. Who is this in the Indian cricket team right now? If you talk to Syed Kirmani and ask him about Rishabh Pant, chances are high that you will get this answer. Showering praise on the most maverick wicketkeeper-batter in contemporary cricket,…

Atreyo Mukhopadhyay in Bengaluru New Zealand’s attempts to rebuild the Test side have received a wet reception in India. The one-off Test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida didn’t take place due to an outfield rendered unplayable by rain. In Bengaluru for the first Test against India, they are once again staring at the dark clouds, which have caused sharp showers over the last few days. Winners of the first World Test Championship (WTC) final — against India in 2021 — New Zealand are not in good shape in the longest format anymore. Sixth in the current WTC standings and coming…

Atreyo Mukhopadhyay in Bengaluru Will Mohammed Shami play? After a few weeks of speculating and hoping against hope, the answer is in the negative. This has happened a number of times over the last few years, since the fast bowler burst onto the international stage in 2013. As a crucial Test tour of Australia lurks on the horizon, this question resurfaced. And, there is no answer yet. While this bowler with exceptional skills has been deadly with his immaculate seam position, pace and accuracy, he has also been prone to breakdowns. Otherwise, after over a decade, he would have taken…

Atreyo Mukhopadhyay in Bengaluru With new coaches and new support staff come new templates. It sometimes reflects the mindset of these people, and the difference between them and their predecessors. Gautam Gambhir was always positive as a cricketer. He didn’t mind a skirmish or two, nor did he lack passion. As the new head coach of the Indian team, he is walking the talk. Two days ahead of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, on a cloudy day that saw a few spells of rain, Gambhir was candid about the approach he wants from his team. He spoke…

Triveni Continental Kings saved their best for the last. In the final of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, they defeated PBG Alaskan Knights to retain the title. They won the two matches in the final by margins of 9-7 and 13-7. In the preliminary stages, the Kings had lost both encounters against the Knights and qualified for the final as the second-placed team. Alexandra Kosteniuk was the star of the final played in a venue called Friends House in London. Playing on Board 4 for her team, the former world champion in the classical and rapid versions defeated Tan…

Triveni Continental Kings snatched a thriller of a win against Alpine SG Pipers to seal the second spot in the final of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League (GCL). In the second edition of this unique, franchise-based league in the game of 64 squares, PBG Alaskan Knights had already ensured passage to the summit clash by the ninth and penultimate round. Nihal Sarin of the Knights is the lone Indian to be featuring in the final. This is a bit of a low for the country that claimed an emphatic double-gold feat at the recent Chess Olympiad. There were nine…

PBG Alaskan Knights scored a massive win in the ninth round of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League. In the competition being held in London, the overnight leaders defeated Triveni Continental Kings 12-8. This took their tally to 21 points and put them in the final. Alpine SG Pipers, with 18 points, and Triveni Continental Kings, with 15 points, are in contention for the other spot, with a round to go. In a marquee clash of the day, Magnus Carlsen defeated Viswanathan Anand. The Indian has not had a great tournament. The Norwegian did not have a stellar outing either…

Things are getting close in the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League (GCL). With eight rounds completed and two more to go, PBG Alaskan Knights remained in the lead, despite losing a thriller against Mumba Masters. The gap between them and the chasing pack has been reduced. The Knights were on 18 points, while Triveni Continental Kings and Alpine SG Pipers moved up to 15. The top two teams will clash in the final of this unique, franchise-based chess league. Raunak Sadhwani ended Nihal Sarin’s unbeaten run on the sixth board reserved for U-21 players to hand Mumba Masters a lifeline.…

PBG Alaskan Knights secured a much-needed win in the seventh round of the Global Chess League, with a commanding 14-5 triumph against Ganges Grandmasters, though it came at the expense of a defeat for Viswanathan Anand. He lost 4-0 to Anish Giri of the Netherlands. The Knights now have 18 points, while Triveni Continental Kings and Alpine SG Pipers are both on 12 points. The top two teams will meet in the final. It wasn’t a great day for the Indian players representing the Ganges Grandmasters. After Anand’s loss, Arjun Erigaisi drew with Nodirbek Abdusattarov, and R Vaishali also…

PBG Alaskan Knights lost 7-9 against Alpine SG Pipers, but stayed in the lead after Round 6 of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League (GCL) being played in London. They have 15 points and the gap between them and the other teams has reduced. Triveni Continental Kings and Alpine SG Pipers are on 12 each. It was not a bad day for the Indian players. Of the nine in the fray across the six teams, Vidit Gujrathi, D Harika and Nihal Sarin posted wins. Viswanathan Anand, Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, R Vaishali andRaunakSadhwanidrew their respective games. Koneru Humpy was the…